Nothing says summer like the beach. I may not get there this summer but I return often in my memories. I've learned beach vacations mean different things for different people. Families have special places they return to
each year. They eat different food. Do different
things. Read different books. So many memories. Here
are some of mine:
Blueberry Pie
Ahem, I know what you are thinking. “Julie is a member of
the Partridge family?” or “That is not a picture of blueberry pie.” I was obsessed with Partridge Family books
that went along with the TV program. In
one adventure, David and the rest of the family had a cookout in a New England
cove. Clam bake, corn and blueberry
pie. For some reason, the writer’s
description has stayed in my memory until today. If blueberry pie is on the menu, I get it. If
it isn’t, I make it.
Chincoteague
My best beach
memories from childhood involve Chincoteague, Virginia. You may have heard of town, its famous pony
roundup to benefit the fire department or the book Misty of Chincoteague. I loved Chincoteague and its beach on
Assateague Island. No development. Just ponies, miles of unadulterated beach,
and dinners of Mom’s steamed seafood.
Calabash Style
 |
| Calabash has more restaurants than people! More fried seafood than anywhere else it seems. |
When I moved to North Carolina from Maryland, I had to get
used to developed beaches and Calabash style seafood. Man O and I compromised on the beach style by
going to Kure Beach, located near Fort Fisher Park with undeveloped beachfront,
an aquarium and Civil War fort to explore. But it also meant I had to eat seafood
deep fried, served with hushpuppies and key lime pie. What makes Calabash style different from other fried seafood is using self-rising flour which makes it a lighter coating. Or so my research tells me. Sadly, with my allergies, I am back to steamed. Happily, there is Old Bay seasoning.
Old Bay Seasoning
You can’t grow up in Maryland without knowing
about this classic seasoning The history of Old Bay. Educate yourself. . I know
people who can’t get it where they live in the US so they stock up when they
come back home to visit. My mother would steam shrimp and crabs and sprinkle the Old Bay on with butter and gusto!
Crab Cakes
North Carolina has blue
soft shell crabs that are eaten whole on the buns, not Maryland crab cakes. Just not the same. I can’t think about my crab staring at me
while I eat it. Also, there’s a reason
places call their crab cakes “Maryland style.”
Maryland has the best crab cakes hands down and that is my best summer
memory. The original recipe on the box includes
breadcrumbs but the mark of a great crab cake is as little bread as possible in the
patty. This is also a great way to fix tuna or salmon cakes. Crab is pricey but tuna doesn't hold the same memories!!!
So what are your beach memories or lake stories?
So what are your beach memories or lake stories?
